How to Cook Bacon in the Microwave
Microwaving bacon skips the pan and the grease spatter, but only works well if the bacon is layered between paper towels and given enough time in short bursts, otherwise it curls unevenly or stays limp in the middle.
Steps
- 1Line a microwave-safe plate with 2-3 paper towels.
- 2Lay 3-4 bacon strips flat on the towels, side by side without overlapping.
- 3Cover the bacon with 2 more paper towels, pressing down lightly so they lie flat against the strips.
- 4Microwave on high for 1 minute per strip as a starting point (4 strips = about 4 minutes).
- 5Check doneness, then continue in 30-second bursts until the bacon is browned and the fat has stopped sizzling.
- 6Let the bacon rest on the paper towels for 1-2 minutes; it firms up and crisps further as it cools.
- 7Transfer to a clean plate and discard the grease-soaked paper towels.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the top layer of paper towels: without it, grease spatters the microwave interior and the bacon cooks unevenly.
- Overlapping strips: overlapped bacon cooks the touching edges unevenly, leaving pale, floppy patches.
- Microwaving in one long stretch instead of checking every 30 seconds near the end: bacon goes from underdone to burnt fast once the fat starts rendering fully.
- Using only one paper towel underneath: thin bacon leaks enough grease to pool on the plate and re-fry the bottom, making it soggy instead of crisp.
Equipment
- Microwave-safe plate
- Paper towels
FAQ
How long does it take to cook bacon in the microwave?
About 1 minute per strip on high power as a starting point, so 4 strips take roughly 4-5 minutes total, checked in 30-second increments near the end since microwave wattages vary widely.
Does microwaved bacon get as crispy as pan-fried bacon?
Regular-cut bacon gets close to pan-fried crispness because the fat renders out into the paper towels; thick-cut bacon stays chewier since it holds more fat and takes longer to fully render.
Can I cook bacon in the microwave without paper towels?
A microwave bacon rack or a plate lined with parchment works too, but plain paper towels absorb grease better and prevent the spattering that plain parchment doesn't stop.
Why did my microwaved bacon turn out chewy instead of crisp?
It likely needed another 30-60 seconds; bacon continues to firm up while resting, but if the fat hasn't visibly rendered and browned, it's undercooked rather than just resting.
Need exact temperatures or timing? Check our Time & Temperature Guide →